name: add-to-xcode
description: >
REQUIRED: After creating ANY .swift, .m, .mm, .c, .cpp, or .h file in a directory
containing a .xcodeproj, you MUST run add_to_xcode.rb to register it with the project.
Without this step, the file will NOT appear in Xcode and will NOT compile.
triggers:
- create swift file
- create objective-c file
- add file to xcode
- new ios file
- new macos file
- xcode project
- .swift
- .xcodeproj

Add to Xcode

⚠️ MANDATORY: Run After Creating Source Files

Every time you create a .swift, .m, .mm, .c, .cpp, or .h file in an Xcode project, you MUST run:

ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb <filepath>

If you skip this step:
- ❌ File will NOT appear in Xcode's navigator
- ❌ File will NOT compile with the app
- ❌ User will have to manually add it

Quick Reference

# ALWAYS do this after creating any source file:
# Use subshell to get latest version (handles multiple cached versions)
ruby "$(ls -1d ~/.claude/plugins/cache/michaelboeding-skills/skills/*/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb 2>/dev/null | sort -V | tail -1)" NewFile.swift

Supported File Types

Workflow

Step 1: Create the file normally

# Example: Create a new Swift file
cat > Sources/Features/MyFeature.swift << 'EOF'
import Foundation

class MyFeature {
    // Implementation
}
EOF

Step 2: Add to Xcode project

ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb Sources/Features/MyFeature.swift

Output:

✓ Added Sources/Features/MyFeature.swift to MyApp.xcodeproj (target: MyApp)

What the Script Does

1. Finds the .xcodeproj - Searches current directory and parents
2. Creates group hierarchy - Matches the file's directory structure
3. Adds file reference - Registers with the project
4. Adds to build target - Source files (.swift, .m, .mm, .c, .cpp) are added to the first target's compile sources

Requirements

Ruby with the xcodeproj gem:

gem install xcodeproj

Examples

Adding a new Swift file

# Create the file
cat > MyApp/ViewModels/ProfileViewModel.swift << 'EOF'
import SwiftUI

@Observable
class ProfileViewModel {
    var name: String = ""
    var email: String = ""
}
EOF

# Add to Xcode
ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb MyApp/ViewModels/ProfileViewModel.swift

Adding a header file

# Create header
cat > MyApp/Bridge/MyApp-Bridging-Header.h << 'EOF'
#import <SomeLibrary/SomeLibrary.h>
EOF

# Add to Xcode (headers are added but not to compile sources)
ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb MyApp/Bridge/MyApp-Bridging-Header.h

Adding Objective-C files

# Create implementation
cat > MyApp/Legacy/LegacyManager.m << 'EOF'
#import "LegacyManager.h"

@implementation LegacyManager
// Implementation
@end
EOF

# Add to Xcode
ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb MyApp/Legacy/LegacyManager.m

Agent Integration

When working in an Xcode project, agents should:

1. Check for .xcodeproj before creating source files
2. Create the file using standard file creation
3. Run add_to_xcode.rb immediately after file creation

# Pattern for agents:
# 1. Create file
cat > NewFile.swift << 'EOF'
// content
EOF

# 2. Register with Xcode
ruby ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/skills/add-to-xcode/scripts/add_to_xcode.rb NewFile.swift

Troubleshooting

"No .xcodeproj found"

• Make sure you're running from within the Xcode project directory or a subdirectory

"gem not found: xcodeproj"

• Install with: gem install xcodeproj
• On macOS with system Ruby, you may need: sudo gem install xcodeproj

File added but not compiling

• Check that the file extension is recognized (.swift, .m, .mm, .c, .cpp)
• Verify the target exists and has a source build phase
• Header files (.h) are not added to compile sources (this is correct)

Related Skills